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6d ago

REAL ID Deadline Approaches, Millions Still Unprepared for May 7 Enforcement

With three weeks remaining, state DMVs struggle to meet demand as 19% of travelers lack compliant identification for domestic flights.

Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.
A pamphlet with an example of REAL ID. While the REAL ID law has been on the books and planned for 20 years, a final deadline date has quickly snuck up on people across the country who are running into scheduling bottlenecks with state offices. This is especially true in states that allow those living in the country illegally to get driver's licenses. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Starting May 7, 2025, travelers aged 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant license or an accepted alternative, such as a U.S. passport, to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.
  • Approximately 19% of travelers still lack compliant identification, potentially facing delays or denied entry at airport security checkpoints.
  • DMVs across the U.S. are overwhelmed by last-minute demand, with extended hours, special appointments, and long wait times reported in multiple states.
  • Passport cards, a lower-cost alternative to full passports, have become a popular option for those unable to secure a REAL ID before the deadline.
  • The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 following 9/11 security recommendations, has faced numerous delays, with this being the final enforcement date after years of postponements.